Complaint 2231252

Complaint Summary

STEERING

Owner Narrative

In January 2025, my 2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range had approximately 22,000 miles and was only about one year old when a right-front suspension mounting bolt backed out of the front frame/subframe. Before discovering the problem, we heard a popping or knocking sound whenever the steering wheel was turned left or right. Upon inspecting the vehicle, I found that the loosened bolt was dragging across the plastic underbody/skid plate and was close to completely falling out. The photographs show the affected right-front suspension mounting point and bolt. To prevent the suspension connection from separating, I reinstalled and tightened the bolt myself and applied red thread-locking compound. The bolt has remained in place since that repair. However, a major front suspension fastener should not loosen or back out on a nearly new vehicle with only 22,000 miles. I am concerned that if the bolt had completely fallen out while driving, the suspension component could have detached, potentially causing a sudden change in wheel position, steering control, or loss of vehicle control. I am also concerned that the same condition could occur again or could exist on the opposite side of the vehicle. No crash or injury occurred, but this was a serious safety-related suspension failure. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this incident as a possible manufacturing, assembly, or fastener-retention defect.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.